From the Introduction: 'The young woman had tears in her eyes when I took my seat next to her on the airliner bound for Little Rock. She was on her way to college, 2000 miles away, and distraught: 'I don't know if I'll be able to stand it.' At that moment I was thinking of my own distress: I don't think I'll be able to stand it, either. I was on my way to visit my father, who was in the latter stages of his struggle with cancer. I'm a therapist. I know how to handle these things, I thought to myself. Knowing that others live through these events and survive did absolutely nothing to comfort me or quiet my pain. I wondered, Will I make it? What should I do? 'In this book we'll take a brief look at the lives of four people -- Survivors -- who've gone through some very rough experiences ...each is plagued by significant emotional despair. These are not cases of mental illness, but examples of ordinary human beings living through painful times. Despite their differences, these four people fortunately all share one vitally important human quality: an inherent capacity to heal from deep emotional wounds. They are Survivors.' How about you? John Preston, Psy.D., is a board certified psychologist and the author of ten books including Survivors, You Can Beat Depression, Integrative Brief Therapy, and Life is Hard (audio). He is on the faculty of Alliant University and the University of California, Davis, Medical School. He is the recipient of the Mental Health Association's President's Award for contributions to the mental health community. Dr. Preston has lectured widely in North America and abroad. REVIEWS 'Often life is hard and sometimes tragic. Sooner or later all human beings must face and live through such times. Survivors is a clearly written, practical, and compassionate guidebook to coping, healing, and personal growth. I recommend it highly.' --- Jack Canfield, Co-author, Chicken Soup for the Unsinkable Soul '... user-friendly tones... This book faces the real complexity in both the cause of hurt and the recovery from it... stands out in a crowded field.' --- ForeWord Magazine 'Highly recommended!' --- Michael J. Mahoney, Ph.D., Author, Human Change Processes, Director: Society for Constructivism in Human Sciences 'Preston's warm and unpretentious style and use of compelling, real examples result in an interesting and useful book... will either help people to help themselves, or learn that they might benefit from professional help.' --- Cliff Straehley, M.D., Psychiatrist, Author, Expanding Your Ability To Love Yourself 'This book is easily read and very interesting to a person without much psychiatric background. Solutions are simple and easy to implement... recommended to anyone with concerns about their own emotional health or the emotional health of a member of their family.' --- Gay A. Byrnes, Helen L. DeRoy Medical Library, Providence Hospital and Medical Centers, Michigan 'Each chapter is rich in case examples, informative charts and descriptions...a welcome addition to the self-help literature and the psychotherapists lending library.' --- Feedback, South Carolina Psychological Association

Industry Reviews

..".comprehensive approach...There is a balance of theory and therapy, so the reader will feel informed as well as encouraged...This book stands out in a crowded field." "Survivors is a clearly written, practical, and compassionate guidebook to coping, healing, and personal growth. I recommend it highly." --Jack Canfield, co-author of Chicken Soup for the Unsinkable Soul ..".comprehensive approach...the reader will feel informed as well as encouraged...stands out in a crowded field." --ForeWord Magazine "Preston's book is designed to take the stigma and shame out of 'emotional problems'... he has a realistic approach that acknowledges limitations while recognizing strengths. At the heart of his work is a focus on the ability to develop compassion for one's self." --NAPRA Review "Preston's warm and unpretentious style and use of compelling, real examples result in an interesting and useful book... will either help people to help themselves, or learn that they might benefit from professional help." --Cliff Straehley, MD, psychiatrist, author, Expanding Your Ability to Love Yourself "Highly recommended!" --Michael J. Mahoney, PhD, author, Human Change Processes, Director, Society for Constructivism in Human Sciences Survivors is a clearly written, practical, and compassionate guidebook to coping, healing, and personal growth. I recommend it highly. Jack Canfield, co-author of Chicken Soup for the Unsinkable Soul" ...comprehensive approach...the reader will feel informed as well as encouraged...stands out in a crowded field. ForeWord Magazine" Preston's book is designed to take the stigma and shame out of 'emotional problems'... he has a realistic approach that acknowledges limitations while recognizing strengths. At the heart of his work is a focus on the ability to develop compassion for one's self. NAPRA Review" Preston's warm and unpretentious style and use of compelling, real examples result in an interesting and useful book... will either help people to help themselves, or learn that they might benefit from professional help. Cliff Straehley, MD, psychiatrist, author, Expanding Your Ability to Love Yourself" Highly recommended! Michael J. Mahoney, PhD, author, Human Change Processes, Director, Society for Constructivism in Human Sciences" "Survivors "is a clearly written, practical, and compassionate guidebook to coping, healing, and personal growth. I recommend it highly. Jack Canfield, co-author of "Chicken Soup for the Unsinkable Soul"" Highly recommended! Michael J. Mahoney, PhD, author, "Human Change Processes," Director, Society for Constructivism in Human Sciences"